A rally for embattled Taiwan People's Party founder Ko Wen-je has triggered another wave of partisan anger in Taiwan. Ko's backers feel he is the victim of politically motivated corruption charges. But some in the ruling DPP question whether the rally itself could hinder a fair trial.
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00:00Supporters of embattled Taiwan People's Party founder Ke Wen-je crowd Taipei's Liberty Square,
00:13demanding an end to what they say is his persecution at the hands of political rivals.
00:17Ke's case is one of the factors driving partisan tensions in Taiwan toward breaking point.
00:23Formerly a rising political star and a presidential candidate, Ke now faces nearly three decades
00:29in prison over charges of real estate corruption during his time as Taipei mayor and embezzlement
00:34during his run for president last year.
00:37These protesters say the charges are politically motivated, and they believe the ruling Democratic
00:42Progressive Party, represented by the color green, has its thumb on the scales of justice.
00:48While the rally was peaceful, it set off a fresh wave of partisan anger, a wave that's
01:04about to crest.
01:06DPP lawmaker Zhong Jiabin says that come Monday, his Justice Committee will hear a
01:11report on whether Ke's supporters obstructed justice by taking to the streets.
01:27And this, in turn, has triggered the Kuomintang, the third of Taiwan's big three parties.
01:32Despite their differences, the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party often work together
01:36as an opposition bloc, and several leading KMT members were at the Ke rally in solidarity.
01:50The current tone of Taiwan's politics is one of acrimony.
01:54Already, bitterness over recent controversial bills had the ruling and opposition blocs
01:59threatening each other with mass recall campaigns.
02:03Now the case of Ke Wen-je is tearing open a fresh divide.
02:08James Lin and John Van Triest for Taiwan Plus.